253: A Hard Time

A Hard Time

"Dear Friend,  2

I safely reached Juyan City, thanks to the arrangements that the Crown Prince made for me. Your aunt and her children are being taken care of by the newly appointed Governor . Prince Wanxi sent me a message that the Crown Prince has confessed his feelings to you. He told me that the Crown Prince had fallen for you since the day he saw you but he was scared to admit his feelings." 

"Wanxi even told him this. This was my personal matter. Why is he…" Sheng Li paused as he found the sharp gaze of Ying Lili at him. Sheng Li quickly averted his gaze from her. 

Ying Lili continued reading. "Lili, sometimes the Crown Prince acts like a child. Tell him that he looks cute when he gets jealous of me. I had never imagined, not even in my dreams, that the Crown Prince would get jealous of a person like me." 

Sheng Li clenched his fist as he could feel through those words how much Hu Jingguo  enjoyed writing all that. 

"I am happy that my friend got a husband like the Crown Prince. I did not tell you this earlier because I thought the Crown Prince would beat me up for telling you this. He was asking me about the 'ideal husband' that you wished for, way earlier than you realized your love for him." Ying Lili paused and peered into the eyes of Sheng Li. She again lowered her eyes and continued, "I know you will keep the hot-headed mind of the Crown Prince in control. At this moment, the Crown Prince must be listening to all this, so tell his highness that he will become a Great Ruler. 

Lastly, I want to say that be the strength of each other to fight against your enemies. Keep smiling and be happy!

Your dearest friend,

Hu Jingguo." 

Ying Lili folded the scroll and looked at Sheng Li. "Am I hot-headed? Did you see what kind of words he uses for the nation's Crown Prince?" Sheng Li complained.

"He is not wrong. You are a hot-headed person. Look, even at this moment, you are furious. Hu Jingguo said so many sweet things about you, yet you are getting angry," Ying Lili pronounced as leaned forward towards the bedside table and put the scroll there. 

Meeting Sheng Li's gaze, Ying Lili asked, "When did you ask him about my choice?"

"I never asked. He is lying!" Sheng Li lied and laid down, again his head was on Ying Lili's lap. 

"Hu Jingguo never lies," Ying Lili yanked at him. 

"I was curious, that's why I asked," Sheng Li then replied. 

Ying Lili leaned down and planted a kiss on top of Sheng Li's head. This astonished Sheng Li. Ying Lili leaned back and said, "Thank you for giving the protection and care to my aunt and her children, despite uncle betraying us." 

"A mother and her children had no involvement in his crimes. I realized this when you told me. There is no need to be thankful for this. As a Crown Prince, this is the least I could do for them," asserted Sheng Li. 

"Lie down beside me. It's difficult for me to see you," stated Sheng Li as he sat up. Ying Lili laid down beside him while Sheng Li nuzzled his face in the crook of Ying Lili's neck. "I am a little tired. I want to take some sleep," Sheng Li whispered to which she hummed. 

~~~~ 

"Miss Chuntao, you have learned a lot of things in just a few days," Nianzu asserted as he looked at the notebook on which Chuntao had practiced Chinese characters. 

"His highness worked hard on  me and I did not want to let him down," Chuntao politely replied. 

"You are a diligent woman, Miss," Nianzu said as he stroked his hand above Chuntao's head. Chuntao smiled while Nianzu pulled his hand back. 

"There is a reward for you. You can have a one-day leave. You can go to Shanxi village and enjoy your day with your friends," Nianzu proclaimed. Chuntao was delighted to hear that. 

"Thank you, your highness," Chuntao expressed her gratitude. 

Nianzu passed a tiny smile to her. Chuntao stood up and bowed her head. She was ready to leave when Eunuch Chung came there with a worried expression on his face. 

"Your highness, your mother…" 

Nianzu immediately stood up from the floor mattress. "What happened to my mother?" Nianzu anxiously asked. 

"She has lost consciousness. The Royal Physician is examining her." In a second, Nianzu strode out of the room. For a second, numerous weird thoughts had surrounded his mind. He was running when he stumbled and fell on the floor. 

The servants who saw him came running towards him to help him out but Nianzu had stood up by then and picked up his speed. Soon, he arrived at his mother's chamber. He regretted getting angry  at his mother the other day. Breaking the promise, he walked in and saw his mother lying on the bed.

Han Wenji asked the Royal Physician about Deng Hui, who was checking the pulse followed by her eyes. 

A few minutes later, the Royal Physician stood up from his chair and turned to Han Wenji. "Your majesty, Virtuous Lady Hui  has not been properly taking her meals for a few days." 

Nianzu walked towards the bed and stood near his mother's feet. 

Han Wenji turned to the personal assistant appointed for Deng Hui. "Did you not take care of the Virtuous Lady?" The Emperor angrily asked her. 

"Forgive me, your majesty. I tried hard but the Virtuous Lady refused to eat because…" 

"Why did you pause? Speak!" Weng Wei sternly said. 

The personal assistant looked at Nianzu who was looking at his unconscious mother. Weng Wei looked at Nianzu and asked, "Prince Nianzu, are you giving your mother a hard time?" 

Nianzu shifted his gaze to Weng Wei upon hearing her question. 

"Sister Hui was mentioning earlier that Prince Nianzu is angry with her. I think this is the reason that she stopped taking her meals properly," Weng Wei asserted and looked at Han Wenji. 

"Is it because Sister Hui had the status of Concubine? Prince Nianzu should not be ashamed of Sister Hui's background," Ju Fen suggested. "We all are aware how much Prince Nianzu hates living in the Palace just because of his mother's background," Ju Fen remarked. 

"You all shall leave except Nianzu. Consort Ju, this is the last time I am hearing such a defamatory remark against my child. Eunuch Jin, show them the way out," Han Wenji ordered.

"I am staying here," Weng Wei said. 

"There is no need to trouble yourself, Empress Wei. You shall leave too." Weng Wei could not refuse the command of the Emperor. She stood up from the chair and left with the three Consorts. 

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